In the Kindatta Sutta the Buddha implied that giving residence is the highest of mundane gifts. “A giver of food is a giver of strength. A giver of clothes, a giver of beauty. A giver of a vehicle, a giver of ease. A giver of a lamp, a giver of vision. And the one who gives a residence, is the one who is a giver of everything. . . .” (SN 1.42).
Giving a residence, even if just temporary has the power to generate a lot of good energy. It is one of the reasons why I love hosting guests, but if you're like me, out in the Midwest away from the popular coasts, its not so often that people already in my CA based social network want to come visit. Thats where CouchSurfing comes in.
CouchSurfing allows users to set up profiles, like most sites, allowing users to expound on their personalities, but the unique feature of couch surfing is that it allows users to talk about the space they have available for other users to stay in. People then can search other users based on their location, ability to host, interests, etc. and email to request to stay.
Giving a residence, even if just temporary has the power to generate a lot of good energy. It is one of the reasons why I love hosting guests, but if you're like me, out in the Midwest away from the popular coasts, its not so often that people already in my CA based social network want to come visit. Thats where CouchSurfing comes in.
CouchSurfing allows users to set up profiles, like most sites, allowing users to expound on their personalities, but the unique feature of couch surfing is that it allows users to talk about the space they have available for other users to stay in. People then can search other users based on their location, ability to host, interests, etc. and email to request to stay.
For many the prospect of spending the night at a complete stranger’s or allowing a complete stranger to stay in one’s own home may seem extremely scary. After all, both host and couch surfer are making themselves vulnerable to abuse: stalking, violence, or just plain awkwardness.
However, I find something really quite beautiful about the exchange. In a very real, concrete and direct way it allows people to open their lives to others. In many cultures it is considered a great honor to host a weary traveller. Some Hindus believe that a guest is a form of god and should be treated as such, even when they are not personally known. However, in this modern age where we are daily bombarded with stories of the cruel and degrading treatment humans can perpetuate on each other, most people have lost the sense of humanity that would welcome a weary traveller in need of a place to sleep into their home. CouchSurfing seeks to change all this.
More than simply giving people a free stay, it is about transforming the world into becoming a more understanding place and fostering personal growth. The potential for cultural exchange is huge. Not to mention that it supports a bedrock of spiritual practice: generosity.
My personal experience with CouchSurfing has been very enjoyable thus far. My first guest was a young woman for Iowa who was in town for just a night. At first I was a little nervous and apprehensive because I felt a little busy at the time and didn't think that it would be a great stay because of it. I could tell my guest was a little nervous too, but after we talked and put each other at ease I felt genuinely happy to have her around. My girlfriend and I took her out around town and tried to treat her like family. Looking back it was a very joyful time, and I very much look forward to hosting more people through CouchSurfing. I recommend others looking to explore ways to open your life and practice generosity try it out too.
